A person who laced treats with sedative and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.
She said the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained Ruben then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
